By Heng Reaksmey, VOA KhmerOriginal report from Phnom Penh
25 August 2009
Phnom Penh court has summoned Ho Vann, an opposition lawmaker accused of defamation and disinformation, who so far does not have a lawyer, for questioning.
Ho Vann is facing a lawsuit brought be 22 military officials, after he publicly questioned the quality of certificates granted by a Vietnamese war college. If convicted, he could receive three years in prison.
The summons is for Sept. 9, and deputy prosecutor Sok Roeun said the court would “wait and see” if Ho Vann appears.
Yim Sovann, a spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party, said Ho Vann has not found a lawyer, which may prevent him from appearing.
“I don’t think the Cambodian court will bring justice for him,” Yim Sovann said Tuesday. “Ho Vann’s case is a political issue, so we already know the verdict. The court sentence will follow the government.”
The National Assembly, which is heavily dominated by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, suspended Ho Vann’s parliamentary immunity in June, along with fellow SRP lawamker Mu Sochua, who faces a fine for allegedly defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The cases were just two in a line of court actions that critics say is stifling government dissent.
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